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Ministry of the Month: Daycare
Toys in a waiting room are
a wonderful way to keep patrons with children returning to your place
of business! Whether you own a hair salon, doctor/dental office, a car
dealership, or a bank you should consider investing in an activity
center for the waiting room or reception area. Wooden tables or wall
panels are durable, cost-effective, and educational all at the same
time.
Most activity panels or wall panels are appropriate for ages 3+. They
offer activities that develop fine motor skills, visual tracking,
and/or eye-hand coordination. They may also help teach counting
skills, shape & color recognition, and cooperative play. Made from
wood, they will withstand daily play and last for many years!
As a parent, you quickly find that business transactions and simple
conversations can take place much more quickly and quietly if your
children are otherwise occupied. As a business owner, consider making
your waiting room/reception area a more pleasant place for you, your
adult customers, and their children. Your repeat business will
increase, too!
Tables by Age
When purchasing classroom tables for your daycare, preschool,
classroom, church, Montessori, or home-school environment the most
important consideration is size.
Everyday we answer questions such as: “What size table should I
purchase for a 2-3 year old classroom?” The guidelines below will
assist you when purchasing classroom tables.
2-3 year old toddler tables-16” height
3-4 year old preschool tables-18-20” height
5 year old kindergarten tables-22” height
6-7 year old first/second grade tables-24” height
8+ years old/ 3rd grade and up tables-24-26” height
Other table options may include colored top/trim, leg glide style, &
folding vs. non-folding legs.
Tables by Size
When purchasing classroom tables for your daycare, preschool,
classroom, church, Montessori, or home-school environment the most
important consideration is size.
Everyday we answer questions such as: “How many children can sit at a
24”x 48” rectangle table?” The guidelines below will assist you when
purchasing classroom tables.
Size & Shape / # of Students
24” x 48” rectangle-6 students
30” x 48” rectangle-6 students
30” x 60” rectangle-8 students
36” x 72” rectangle-10 students
48” square-8 students
36” round-5 students
42” round-7 students
48” round-10 students
60” round-15 students
60” daisy-6 students
48” x 72” kidney-6 students + teacher
60” x 66” kidney-8 students + teacher
24” x 24” x 48” trapezoid-4 students
30” x 30” x 60” trapezoid-5 students
Other table sizes are manufactured as the list above represents the
most popular styles. Other table options to consider may include
colored top/trim, leg glide style, & folding vs. non-folding legs.
Art Supplies
An early childhood environment MUST have an art center stocked with
art supplies. Whether you teach daycare, preschool, kindergarten,
first grade or second grade children should be surrounded by
opportunities to explore art materials and create using their
imaginations.
Below is a basic list of art supply items and furniture to get your
art center started and keep it stocked:
Art Center Supplies
easels, smocks or aprons, glue, paste, glue sticks, pipe cleaners,
glitter, tempra paint, water colors, crayons, feathers, butcher paper,
scrap paper, markers, safety scissors, rulers, tissue paper, felt,
construction paper, yarn, buttons, ribbons, magazines, old greeting
cards, wrapping paper, chalk, colored pencils
wax paper, aluminum foil, finger paint, cookie cutters, stencils,
paint brushes
Q-tips, small plastic cups, popsicle sticks, finger paint, clay,
paper, art cart, scissor holder, marker holder, sponges, tape,
stapler, art/utility cart, paper dispenser.
Blocks
An early childhood environment MUST have blocks available to children.
Whether you teach daycare, preschool, kindergarten, first grade or
second grade children should be provided opportunities to build with
blocks. Wooden blocks are wonderful because a one-time purchase will
last for years. However, if you think the one time purchase will be
inexpensive…think again!
A nice set of blocks should include assorted shapes and sizes. There
should be an adequate number of pieces to allow for at least 4
children to work together on individual structures or a large
structure cooperatively. Classroom wood block set sizes can range from
about 35-400+ pieces. Prices range from about $75-$1000.
Most blocks are made of Beech wood or maple-maple typically more
expensive. Quality sets are finely sanded and rounded to eliminate
sharp edges and become splinter- free. Some offer a lifetime guarantee
as well.
Other wooden block accessories include rolling block tubs,
arches/tunnels, hollow blocks, lock blocks and multi-cultural
architectural block sets.
Using wood building blocks encourages mathematical/logical thinking,
cooperative working, creativity, and motor-skill development.
Learning Rugs/Carpet
Classroom rugs/carpets are most often found in Early Childhood
environments such as daycare, preschool, and kindergarten-second grade
classrooms. Teachers find educational carpets to be decorative and
helpful with teaching different concepts as well as classroom
management.
Learning rugs come in a variety of themes, colors, sizes, and shapes.
It is important to consider the size of the area available to place
the rug as well as how many children will typically sit upon it at the
same time. A 5’4” x 7’8” rug can comfortably seat approx. 20-25
children depending on their ages/size whereas a 7’8” x 10’9” will seat
about 30-32.
You should also consider what you would like the rug to accomplish or
teach. Are you simply looking for a cute rug to place in a
nursery/infant room in a daycare center or church or…are you looking
for a carpet that will keep preschool and kindergarten children
organized and sitting in a particular spot during “circle time”?
Most classroom carpets come with a useful life warranty, stain
protectors, anti-microbial protection, and safety standards to include
flammability ratings- a few more things to consider when making your
purchase. Teaching rugs are truly great investments. Not only can they
change the overall look of a room at a very affordable price, but they
will last for many years!
Dramatic Play
Ask most young children their favorite place to work in the classroom
and they will say the housekeeping area. Daycare centers, preschools,
and kindergarten classrooms typically have a dramatic play center with
a pretend play kitchen being the focal point.
Most kitchen sets are made from wood and can be bought in separate
pieces or in one large piece. These one piece sets are wonderful if
space is an issue. You can also purchase sets that are shorter and
appropriate for toddlers rather than preschool and kindergarten age
children. If you purchase separate pieces you can even add-on
microwaves and washer/dryer sets.
Some other accessories for your kitchen sets are: pretend food,
cooking utensils, play dishes, dolls, doll furniture, a table and
chair set, costumes, a telephone, and much more. Make the dramatic
play kitchen/housekeeping area even more fun by routinely adding new
and different items for the kids to interact with. Keep in mind that
not all items need to be brand new. Solicit parents and co-workers for
donations of household items/clothing that they are not using anymore
to help stock the home area.
Music and Movement
Music and movement is a huge part of daycare and preschool curriculum.
Most children love to sing and feel comfortable doing so in a
group/classroom setting. Opportunities to include music and movement
into your curriculum can be through “planned” teacher-directed
activities or through “center based” child-initiated activities.
Items to purchase for your music and movement curriculum include: a cd/boombox,
cd’s and/or cassettes, an audio cabinet, a variety of instrument (some
can be teacher/student made), a cassette recorder w/ headphones, and
even a rug!
Early
Childhood Furniture & Supplies Checklist
If you're starting a preschool center or a home daycare, you may be
wondering what you'll need to furnish and supply your
business/classroom with. We've compiled a 'simple' list of preschool
furniture by category for your convenience. It is not intended to be
an all-inclusive list of items you will need to function and manage
your center, rather it is a list of basic items you will need when you
start.
If you are in need of a consultation, please feel free to contact us
at: 1-866-600-7467, M-TH 9AM-5PM and Friday 9AM-Noon, Arizona Time. We
welcome bid requests and discount pricing requests for your project
and would be more than happy to have our staff work with you and
assemble an age-appropriate classroom environment.
HOUSEKEEPING & DRAMATIC PLAY - Kitchen, Refrigerator, Table & Chairs,
Grocery Products, Puppet Theater. Appropriate accessories.
BLOCK PLAY - Hundred+ Piece. Block Set w/varying shapes, Block Tub
with wheels, Multi-Cultural family & career block set.
MANIPULATIVES - Geo Puzzle Board, Circle Sorter, Shape Sorter, Ring
Counter, Sound Box, Weight Box
SHELVING/STORAGE - Big Book Display, Cubbies, Lockers, Shelves
ART EQUIPMENT - 4 Station Easel, Drying Rack
INFANT/TODDLER - Diaper Changing Table, Diaper Storage/Shelf, Infant
Coordination Mirror, Soft Play Items - 'Indoor Gym'
CHAIRS & TABLES - Enough chairs for all your students plus a few
extra. Tables for seating based on table size.
SOFT PLAY - Tumble Mats, Soft Blocks, Indoor 'Gyms', Activity Centers
SENSORY - Standard size Sand & Water Table, Sand tools, optional Train
Table Top
RUGS - Lg. Rug for Classroom Management, 1 for Block Play Area, others
as needed
PUZZLES - Wooden interlocking & shape puzzles.
NAP TIME - Sleep Mats or Cots, Sheets & Blankets, Storage for
mats/cots
ART EQUIPMENT - 4 Station Art Easel, Art Cart, Storage
LITERACY - Book Display, Children's Soft Furniture
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